Tag: Warren Buffett

The modern world has introduced new challenges to investing. While the basics of the trade still remain the same, investors are faced with present opportunities, options, and dilemmas that can make or unmake their chances of success.

It’s true that most investors learn their lessons the hard way, but it can be equally productive to also discover new and useful things from the best players on the field. Here are some of the most important pieces of advice from the world’s greatest investors and how you can use them to your advantage.

“It’s far better to buy a wonderful company at a fair price than a fair company at a wonderful price.” – Warren Buffett

In his letter to his shareholders in 1989, Warren Buffett, an American investor, philanthropist, chairman, and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, and perhaps the greatest investor of his time, revealed one of the most important tenets that shaped his investment strategy: invest in companies that you can fully understand, regardless of its present finances. More importantly, it should be one of which their intrinsic value is self-evident.

“Do you really like a particular stock? Put 10% or so of your portfolio on it. Make the idea count. Good [investment] ideas should not be diversified away into meaningless oblivion.” – Bill Gross

PIMCO co-founder, Bill Gross, also manages one of the world’s largest bond funds, PIMCO Total Return Fund. Here, he speaks about his ultimate rule in portfolio management and diversification. It’s a common rule that when investing in stocks, never put all your capital into one name – but what Gross emphasizes that if you want to make money in the stock market, make research-based decisions and informed ideas when choosing one or more stocks.

“If you have trouble imaging a 20% loss in the stock market, you shouldn’t be in stocks.” –Jack Bogle

Jack Bogle is the founder and former chief executive of the Vanguard Group. As a veteran in the trade and an expert in investing in the stock market, he points out one truth that most of the time, intimidates young investors: Losses are a part of reality in investing in the stock market. If you don’t have the grit and the courage to face them, then you shouldn’t be in stocks in the first place.

Did you know that Warren Buffett earned 94 percent of his wealth after he turned 60? That and 19 other interesting things about the “Oracle of Omaha” from this article on ENTREPRENEUR:

Image credit: J. Kempin | Getty Images

Often referred to as the “Oracle of Omaha” -- Nebraska native Warren Buffett is an investing legend, business magnate and philanthropist.
When he was 11, Buffett already bought stock, and by 16 he had amassed more than $53,000 from various business ventures and investments. From a young age, Buffett was bound for success.
Although, like anyone else, he faced setbacks. From being rejected at Harvard Business School to getting told he would fail by his father-in-law, hard work and resilience pushed Buffett towards success. Today, he’s recognized for his achievements and uses his money for the greater good.
From using a Nokia flip phone to pledging 85 percent of his Berkshire Hathaway stocks to various charitable foundations, check out these 20 Warren Buffett facts that might surprise you.

He bought his first stock when he was 11-years-old.

While most 11-year-old boys were playing T-ball and reading comic books, Buffett bought stocks. In the spring of 1942, at 11-years-old, Buffett purchased shares of Cities Service Preferred for $38 a piece.

He made $53,000 by the age of 16.

Even since he was young, Buffett’s not only been tactful, but also an extremely hard worker.
When his family moved to Omaha, Neb., Buffett delivered The Washington Post every morning and brought in about $175 a month (that’s more than most teachers made during that time).
He also pursued a few side gigs such as selling used golf balls and collector stamps and buffing cars. By the time he turned 16, he had amassed the equivalent of $53,000.

He was rejected from Harvard Business School.

After graduating from the University of Nebraska in three years, Buffett applied to Harvard Business School. But during a brief interview with the school that would determine his acceptance, the staff said to Buffett: “Forget it. You’re not going to Harvard.”
After much disappointment from the rejection, Buffett discovered that his idols Benjamin Graham (“the father of value investing”) and David Dodd were professors at Columbia Business School.
“I wrote them a letter in mid-August," Buffett shares. "I said, 'Dear Professor Dodd. I thought you guys were dead, but now that I found out that you're alive and teaching at Columbia, I would really like to come.' And he admitted me."

He eats like a 6-year-old.

Buffett’s secret to staying young? Coca-Cola and ice cream.
In an interview with Fortune, Buffett claimed he is “one quarter Coca-Cola” -- "If I eat 2,700 calories a day, a quarter of that is Coca-Cola. I drink at least five 12-ounce servings. I do it every day."
Sometimes for breakfast, he eats a can of Utz potato sticks (yes -- a can, not a bag) to accompany his soda. Other times he takes a sweeter approach and indulges in a bowl of ice cream to jump start his day.
When asked how he’s managed to stay healthy with such a salty and sugary diet, he said, "I checked the actuarial tables, and the lowest death rate is among 6-year-olds. So I decided to eat like a 6-year-old."
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